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How We Treat Ear Infections without Antibiotics

Ear infections were something that our boys struggled with a lot when they were younger. In fact, one of our boys got his first ear infection at 2 months of age and the pediatrician warned us then that children who start getting them that young often end up with tubes in their ears.That was not what I wanted to hear and after our youngest continued to get repeated infections (and inevitably ending up on antibiotics each time) I began to look for some alternative methods for prevention and treatment. Prevention and TreatmentFor prevention and treatment, one route we chose to pursue was chiropractic care. (Here isa great article on this.)

Our chiropractor adjusting our youngest just days after birth

We have found chiropractic care to make a difference in our children's overall health, but sometimes illness still crops up and with small, horizontal eustachian tubes in children, ear infections are sometimes still present (although thankfully not nearly as often!).If one of our children is struggling with an ear infection, I make sure to get them in to see one of our chiropractors (a wonderful husband and wife team). This seems to help relieve some of the muscle tension in the neck and allows the fluid to drain properly. I have seen one of our children crying and in pain from an ear infection, get adjusted, and then be much happier. It really is amazing!I also find that it helps to treat the ear infection directly.In the past, I tried numerous natural methods including garlic oil, sweet oil, onions, garlic and homeopathic ear drops.But it wasn't until I tried hydrogen peroxide that I saw marked improvement when treating an ear infection.In fact, since implementing hydrogen peroxide and chiropractic care for ear infections we have been antibiotic free in the treatment of them.I keep a small eye dropper on hand at all times along with a bottle of peroxide. If a child wakes up in the night and is crying and seems distressed and unconsolable, I'll add a couple drops to each ear. (Whereas before, the first thing I did was make an appointment with the pediatrician or take them to Urgent Care because I hate seeing my kids suffer!)Now instead of getting them on antibiotics, I start our hydrogen peroxide regimen and, if necessary, I also take them in for a chiropractic adjustment. I use the peroxide 3 times a day until symptoms start to subside and then I reduce the frequency to once or twice a day until all symptoms seem to be gone.It has only taken a couple of days in the past to clear an ear infection up completely. (I'd also recommend that if you plan on flying anywhere with little ones that you pack an eye dropper and get some hydrogen peroxide upon arrival. It's a great preventative to ward off those pesky ear infections that sometimes develop for little ones after flying.)What To DoHave the child lay on his side. If you're dealing with an infant, nurse or cradle the child on one side while you add drops to the exposed ear. Let it foam for about 3-4 minutes (or as long as you can with a crying, writhing baby!). If you're dealing with a child who can communicate as to whether or not they still hear the foaming in their ear, encourage them to lay there until the foaming stops.Sometimes, if there's an infection going on, it will foam and bubble right up to the edge of the ear hole.Don't be alarmed if your child screams or throws a fit at first. It IS a very odd feeling but they will get used it and welcome it later on if they know it will help. After waiting a few minutes for the bubbling to subside, place a Kleenex up to the ear to catch any remaining peroxide and have the child lay on the opposite side.Repeat for the other side.I always treat both ears, especially with little ones who can't verbalize which ear is hurting. This method has worked successfully for us numerous times for all of our children over the last several years. I'm so thankful to have discovered it because it has saved us a lot of money in co-pays and most importantly has kept our children off of unnecessary antibiotics.**I am not a doctor but this is our personal experience with treating ear infections.**To help prevent illness and disease, we started taking Juice Plus+ about a year and a half ago and it has made a huge difference in how often we get sick and to what degree. What is Juice Plus+? It's "whole food based nutrition, including juice powder concentrates from 30 different fruits, vegetables and grains. Juice Plus+ helps bridge the gap between what you should eat and what you do eat every day. Not a multivitamin, medicine, treatment or cure for any disease, Juice Plus+ is made from quality ingredients carefully monitored from farm to capsule to provide natural nutrients your body needs to be at its best." It doesn't have any added ingredients other than real food. I'm so thankful for it!! Check out this video for more general information and this video tells you how Juice Plus+ is made. If you have any questions, you can contact me here.

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Well these methods sure sound a whole lot more appealing than antibiotics (and their side effects)! I had a double ear infection as an adult, and I've got to say, it hurts! I can totally understand why kids scream when they have one.

Peroxide only cleans the ear canal. Ear infections are typically in the middle ear. If fluids flows out of the child's ear; the ear drum has burst so do not use peroxide then. The ear drum will heal. If a child has frequent ear infections, medical help is advise to prevent permanent damage and bring relief to child.

We like using colloidal silver in the ear (natural antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal) and use rosemary and tea tree oils diluted around the outside of the ear and down the neck. I saw someone recommend putting essential oils IN the ear. I don't think that's safe to have sitting on your ear drum. Just my opinion, but we definitely use them around the outside. Hate routine use of antibiotics!!!!!

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